amsterdam
The controversy of short-term vacation rentals, known by its acronym in English STHR (Short Term Holiday Rentals) stay in the spotlight.
Last Thursday, September 17, Representatives from several cities met in Paris with Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, to denounce a legal framework that they consider obsolete.
There are 22 European cities that have come together to urge the EU to adopt stricter rules governing Airbnb and other short-term vacation rental platforms, They consider that the current regulation "prevents officials from taking strong measures against web platforms."
The mayors and representatives of the cities consider that the current regulation "prevents officials from taking strong measures against web platforms" and demand that more severe regulations to counteract the damaging impact of tourist flats on the housing market and make neighborhoods more livable.
The 22 cities in question are: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Bologna, Bordeaux, Brussels, Cologne, Florence, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Krakow, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Porto, Prague, Utrecht, Valencia, Vienna and Warsaw.
Barcelona is one of the 22 cities of the alliance
TOWARDS A STRONGER EUROPEAN REGULATION
The increase and high profitability of tourist rentals has led to a generalized pattern of long-term housing rentals that have been converted to STHR.
The impact on affordable housing prices and supply is alarming, especially in the center of cities. European citizens are increasingly expressing concerns about the inconvenience caused by this type of rental.
In addition, they report other adverse effects such as: noise, health risks, and even the slow demise of convenience stores.
Many European cities have adopted local measures and imposed restrictions on tourist apartments, because according to what they say "they are diverting housing from the affordable real estate market."
However, this alliance of cities affirms that without a European regulatory framework, Airbnb can continue to operate with minimal supervision, since "It's just a platform to put people in touch with tenants."
They also point out that “the illegal activities of STHR are difficult to counter, since the platforms do not easily share their data with local authorities. The leases and platforms involved still benefit from a largely advantageous and outdated EU legal framework, established long before the rise of the digital economy.”
In December 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled rejecting the Paris proposal to force Airbnb to register as a normal property rental company.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, He stated in a statement that “it is time for a new European regulatory approach that serves the general interest above all, which is for us housing accessibility and habitability in our cities”.
THE EUROPEAN DIGITAL SERVICES LAW
Following the joint declaration of these 22 European cities issued last March, Representatives from these key tourist destinations have shared proposals with Executive Vice President Vestager.
Topics ranged from force platforms to share relevant data, key to any efficient control and execution system; a hold platforms accountable for the content they display; to ensure better cooperation and compliance with local regulations.
Thus, these cities agree that “the European Law on Digital Services presents an unprecedented opportunity for the European Commission to address these challenges.”
And they continued to emphasize that “our cities recognize that tourism is an important source of income and employment for many people and they are not opposed to this new form of rental. But tourist rental in private homes can only be carried out responsibly if the necessary regulation is in place.”
European cities trust Margrethe Vestager to take their concerns into account and work with her to achieve a balanced European framework adapted to the needs of citizens.
After the meeting, Vestager said that "better cooperation between platforms and public authorities It will be a prerequisite for the proper application of the Digital Services Law".
Finally, Vestager stated that all of this "will provide a modern and harmonized regulatory framework, and will take into account the needs of national and local administrations and compliance with local regulations, while providing a predictable environment for innovative digital services.”